Women of Palestine Speak: "All children have a Right to play"

by Marilyn Robinson in Ramallah
May 17, 2002

Three Short Stories...


Women of the Umsharayet section of Al Bireh

Many of the duties performed by the Popular Neighborhood Committee were done by the children of the area. They burned trash, removed barricades from the streets, watched over the stores from being robbed, and watched over the cars from being robbed-car stereos were often stolen, only to be taken to exchange for money or food on the black market.

Outside of the Committee meeting, I sat for a while talking with four of the mothers of the area. They again thanked me for being there to hear their stories. I asked, "How many media had come. How many reporters had inquired"? A resounding reply came. "No one else. You are the first. You are the only one who has come to ask about what happened. You are the only ones interested."

They spoke of their fears, not for themselves but for their children. "Who will protect the children?", they asked. "We do not care so much about ourselves, but our children. Are not our children as important as the children of Israel?"

They spoke to me in broken English and with what little I understood in Arabic somehow, it wasn't difficult to listen and grasp their words. They kissed me on both cheeks and held me in the traditional Arabic way. I looked into their eyes, once again eyes that burned into my soul. Such sorrow, such concern, such trust in me I would listen and tell the world their message of love and a need of assurance of safety for their children. I had no choice in this matter.

I assured them I would not forget what they said to me. I would tell anyone who would listen.

One mother asked me if I could tell Bush. "Can you go and tell him about what is happening here? You are a woman like us. He will listen?" I will try is all I could say for now.

The children play games. One of their favorite games include guns. They split up into groups their mothers tell me. Three groups are formed. A mother explains. "One group represents the Israelies. The second group represents the Palestinians. And the third group is the Press. That is what they see. That is all they see."


The Story of Yara

Yara, a 15 year old girl, along with many children younger was playing outside in the usual small area in front of the development when Israeli soldiers came into the area and told them to go inside. Yara said, "We are children. We are only playing". The soldiers started shooting indiscriminately into the playing area at the children. Yara was shot. She laid there injured and bleeding.

The Israeli soldiers would not permit the ambulance in. No medical supplies were available. She lay there a long period of time before the soldiers left and her family could come to her aid. It is a miracle she survived and lived to tell her story. I was witness to hearing her tell it. Yara said the children do not want money or food, they want protection from the Israeli military.

"All children have a Right to play", she said.


The Story of Nadya

Nadya is a mother of 6 children. She lives in the development covered by the Popular Committee of the Umsharayet section of Al Bireh. One day, during the invasion, Israeli soldiers came into her home pushing and shoving all the people inside, all the while asking questions regarding a particular son of hers who had acted as a bodyguard for Marwan Barghouthi, already arrested and being held at the time.

The soldiers ended up taking 4 of her children away with them, no explanation where they were to be held. Next morning, when they woke up, the home was surrounded by Israeli soldiers. They came inside and left 4 bombs in the house connected to the phone system. Any phone call to the house would detonate the bombs, killing all inside and perhaps some of their neighbors also.

Later around 10:30pm, the Israelies returned, releasing 3 of her children to her but took her brother's son away with them. The Israeli soldiers returned every day till the 30th of April continually asking questions and demanding answers.

The 4 bombs are still in place in Nadya's home where they are living. She has received no cooperation from the Israeli military nor the Palestinian Authority regarding the removal of the bombs. They continue to be hooked up to the phone line.

They have no where to go. They have no money to move elsewhere. The bombs own the home, they do not.

* Marilyn Robinson is one of three members of the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace who have joined Palestinians in nonviolently resisting Israel's illegal military occupation. More on their trip at www.ccmep.org/palestine.html